8/8/06
Training camp: Tuesday afternoon notes
by Paul Perillo, Patriots Football Weekly
With injuries starting to become a factor at linebacker, the Patriots worked on more four-man fronts during some recent practices. Perhaps the lack of depth at the position could lead to a more permanent change.
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Tuesday afternoon’s practice featured a 4-3 base set with veteran free agent acquisition Barry Gardner manning the middle linebacker spot. Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin manned the outside positions behind a front that included Ty Warren and Mike Wright outside and Le Kevin Smith and Vince Wilfork inside. The team also worked plenty of four-man fronts during the morning session.
Obviously the alignment doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the 3-4. Belichick spends plenty of time every year working on a variety of fronts and looks and this camp has been no different. But perhaps with such a paucity of depth at linebacker he believes he’ll need more 4-3 work – at least early in the season if Bruschi is out for any extended period.
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